The US has not ruled out sending troops to Taiwan.

The US is ready to consider sending its military to Taiwan if China invades, said Michael McCall, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

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“If China invades Taiwan, this option will be on the agenda, will be discussed by Congress and the American people, are they ready for this, is Taiwan worth it,” McCall said.

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If the American people support the use of US forces to defend the island, he said, Congress will follow suit.

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McCall has been in Taiwan with a delegation of US lawmakers since Wednesday. The visit follows a meeting in California between Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy and Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen. At a press conference following those talks, McCarthy was asked if the US was prepared to send troops to Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion, saying he didn’t want to ever have to answer the question.

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China traditionally reacts negatively to foreign contacts of representatives of the Taiwanese administration, considering the island as its province. Washington urges Beijing to refrain from excessive retaliation.